A bit of a dissapointmnt for reformers, but some bright spots as the Council of Trent continues. In this episode of Habemus Papam, Fr. Conrad discusses Pope Julius III, who succeeded Pope Paul III, listen to the episode about him here.

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Julius III, born Giovanni Maria Ciocchi del Monte, became Pope on February 7, 1550. Julius III desired to reform the Church and wanted to reconvene the Council of Trent, but little came to fruition during Julius III's papacy. He friended the Jesuits and granted a fresh confirmation in 1550.

In England, Queen Mary restored Catholicism in 1553 and Julius III sent Cardinal Reginald Pole as legate with powers to use at his discretion to help with the restoration of Catholicism. Some of Julius III's contemporaries wished the pope had more interest in political or ecclesiastical affairs, like his predecessors. He, instead, focused his attention on artistic and architectural commissions. He spent a lot of time at Villa Giulia where Bartolomeo Ammannati designed garden features. Today, the Villa Giulia houses a collection of Etruscan art and artififacts.

Eventually, he died on March 23, 1555, possibly of stomach or esophageal cancer.

Thank you for listening to this episode of Habemus Papam. God bless!